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Well first of all you have lost 45 pounds. That is great. It has not been easy but you did it. That said, it sounds like you are getting close to your "sweet spot" but not there yet. Is there another dr affiliated with your dr so maybe you could see that dr instead of the one you are seeing now? Your current doc doesn't sound like she is trying to work with you. Have you told her how you feel? It may not change anything but it couldn't hurt. I can only say that you may have to really speak up for yourself. If she says things about you sneaking m&m's that is a real insult and I would tell her so. If you get a fill and within 2 weeks you still fill nothing call her up and tell her that it isn't working. Ask her what she suggests. I know how hard it is to stand up for yourself cos a lot of us overweight girls just have that problem. But you are a new you now. If you don't speak up and try to get some satisfaction she probably will continue to treat you the same way. Also, I have found what I eat makes a big difference in how long I can go without being hungry. I try to eat foods that "stick" with me for a while. I really like diced chicken breast with a little mayo and just about a half an ounce of fat free refried beans. I can go for hours and I haven't eaten 300 calories! I have hunted around on the internet and on this site too for food ideas. Also, is there a nutritionist affiliated with your dr who can give you an idea of what may help as far as foods that keep you full longer? I am just trying to think of things that will help you. So many people have helped me in the 7 months since I've had lap band, I want to help now too. Let me know if there is any thing else I can do to help. You are not alone. Hang in there. I will keep my eye out for your postings and try to help. Pam

Ditto what leatha g said!!!!! "If nothing changes,,nothing changes" The band is a tool,,not a cure all. If you keep on doing the same things you used to do,,yoiu'll keep on getting the same results you always have. Personally,,I eat very little bread or rice and no Pasta. You can gain weight forever if you fill your pouch with high caloric foods. Empty calories might make you feel full,,but they aren't good for you and provide temporary satisfaction. My physician is a hard ass when it comes to honesty and following rules. I appreciate that quality in him. He holds me accountable for my actions while encouraging me and guiding me through this change in lifestyle. THAT'S wht this is,,a change in lifestyle. Stick to the hard Proteins FIRST. Trust the diet that your physican/dietician hopefully gave you and follow it closely. I bought a Backyard Burger today,,its big,,with lettuce, tomato, cheese, onion and condiments. I pinch off as much bread as possible and have it still stick together and I slowly ate half of it. I brought the rest home and saved it for lunch tomorrow. It satisfied me for the whole night. I had to learn the difference in NEEDING to eat and WANTING to eat. Keep reading the website and learn, as I have,,from those who have gone before us! Good luck! Banded 1/29/07 Dr Ken Cleveland-CMMC-Jackson, MS 331/286/150 one fill to date

The main difference is that with a sleeve, it is actually possible to maintain such a diet long-term, not fall off the wagon, go crazy, and gain everything back. If everyone could do that without surgery, then the surgery wouldn't exist because no one would need it. It's not as if the vast majority of morbidly obese people are wandering around the earth with no idea how to lose weight, or no desire to do so. For the most part, people do want to lose weight and are aware of what to do. They try to do it, and they fail. That's why only 5% of obese people can sustain any sort of significant weight loss without surgery (and I'm not talking about losing all their excess weight, either -- just enough to make a difference). The success rate with weight loss surgery is orders of magnitude better -- with the sleeve, the average patient will lose between 60 and 70 percent of their excess weight. For me, I had to come to grips with the fact that despite my being educated and motivated, I was not a special snowflake who would be one of those 5% who could sustain even a small amount of weight loss on my own. I needed surgery. It was the best decision I ever made. And the idea that you need a minimum of 1200 calories or whatever to be healthy is a myth. If you have significant fat stores to fuel your body (and we all do, or we wouldn't be here) and are taking your vitamins, and getting in sufficient protein, you don't need extra calories. It's important to have labs drawn regularly to make sure your vitamin and protein intakes are sufficient, but most people find that their labs are fine and they are doing great. I have never felt or been so healthy or energetic as I have on a low carb, low calorie diet.

I'm in my third week of liquid diet (both pre- and post-op) and I have lost about 25 lb in these three weeks. I don't know what will happen for me down the line, but I have seen a lot of folks talking and agonizing about how their wt loss was so great in the first few weeks and then stalled completely for some time after. I wonder if this is the way it works: If you're dropping 10 lbs a week (as can happen on a severely calorie restricted diet) there is no WAY that can be all fat. Most of it is almost certainly water. And water wt loss is NOT permanent wt loss; as soon as you start eating a reasonable, healthy amount of calories again the body replaces it's water stores. So my theory is that when it seems as if wt loss is stalling in the 2nd month or so post-op ( and post the initial severe, unhealthy-to-maintain-in-the-long-term calorie restriction) fat is still really coming off, but it doesn't show up on the scale because it is being replaced by water that your body lost initially, but that it really needs. Does that make sense? Yoo-hoo --- any medical or nutritional types out there who can comment on this?

I use MyFitnessPal.com to track calories, protein, exercise, water, etc.

Thank you. Your response is very sensible, and specific. I weigh daily, same place, same time, same conditions. It was a sudden spike (which has remained for days) but I had not considered how many calories I would have had to ingest to actually gain that much weight. I will give it time while being more mindful of what I am eating. I knew carbonated drinks were off limits. That really isn't a struggle for me. I don't care for them. But I read a post that talked about carbonation irrevocably stretching the tummy. It worried me. I appreciate your response. Thank you! Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

@@Gaelsmom - IMO soup is a "slider" and you can probably "drink" two cups of Water as well as eat two cups of soup. Watch the calories, carbs and sodium. I would say the swelling ankles are due to the salt. Water, water, water, walk, walk, walk......

Ohhhhhhhhhh Thinoneday how do I get 1200 calories in without eating carbs, I'm trying so hard to keep my sugar levels down. If i eat anymore my sleeve is going to burst open. I don't know what to eat that has protein but low carbs...............

Hello All, I am new to this forum, I'm 4 weeks out and I believe I've hit a stall. I'm currently on the soft food Stage and I'm finding it easier to hit my Protein and Calorie goals, Water is so-so. I'm looking to get some work-out MOTIVATION and recipe ideas, as well as give any advise or answer any questions that I can. .. P.S. the reason I say I think I've hit a stall is due to the fact that I don't weigh myself at home at all. I'm waiting to get weighed at the DR. Office. I never weighed myself at home pre-op. I'm a little OCD... Sent from my SM-N910V using the BariatricPal App

I believe "good carbs" are necessary in limited quantities. You want to get them from whole grains, fruit, veggies, dairy. Glucose (what your body easily turns carbs into) is the only nutrient your brain can use. Personally, I walk a middle ground between very low carb and what my nut says (she says 130 carbs a day). I take in about 60 carbs a day and have pretty steadily been loosing 2-3 pounds a week. Find what works for you. I believe calories in and calories out is the main issue as far as weight loss. Best wishes on your journey!

Sounds like you need to see your PCP. If you are getting 60-70 g of protein, drinking 64 oz. of fluids. and keeping your calories at 500-600, then you should be losing weight. Good luck.

Hi: My husband and I own/operate a fine dining restaurant. He is the chef and I take care of the front of the house. I'm not sure what to tell you as far as what will work with your band (I was banded June 8th and so far have not had a problem). I can though tell you what to avoid. All sauces that say they are reductions of some sort.....they are very concentrated and do contain a lot of calories, most sauces........I have watched my husband make some of theses sauces and to reach the right consistency and flavour he uses tons of butter....I mean TONS of butter! If the menu item is beef, pork, etc and says that it is served in its own juices (au jus)...that may be okay however, be careful of fat rendered from the meat. Most professional Chefs today, with the exception of sauces, prefer to do all cooking, roasting, baking with extra virgin olive oil instead of butter. My husband tosses his vegetable medley in evoo and fresh herbs before plating to add flavour but when requested we don't coat them with anything. We have 5 Pasta dishes on our menu....one is angelhair which I have found not to cause a problem with my band....Al puts a little evoo in a saute pan, some garlic, tomato concasse (fresh cubed tomato), thinly sliced red onion and some s&p....he tosses the pasta in this saute pan and its a great dish...if I want protien I add a few shrimp or small pieces of chicken.......we sell loads of this dish and its my favourite. If you talk to your server they should be able to, and willing to, help you find a suitable meal. If you have questions just ask me...... woodys@sympatico.ca Carol

Do you ever find that when you scan the menus at restaurants, you start to become overwhelmed by all of the choices? That you might make the wrong decision? That you have the tendency to pick the same thing over and over again because it is 'safe'? I started noticing this about six months ago - and sometimes it becomes such an anxiety ridden ordeal that I order "the usual" when I would really like something different. But when I look at all of the different options and their descriptions - a gazillion questions go through my mind: will it get stuck, will it taste the same to me now, can I really eat that, how much Protein is in one oyster, how many calories are in a wine reduction sauce, etc. Sometimes it is just easier to stick to what you know....but I sure miss experimenting with a bunch of different cuisine options!!! Would love to hear your stories and coping mechanisms!!

The easy way and old fashioned way is to allow 10 calories per pound of desired body wt if you are a fairly inactive female. Mimi

@@andersonrivera, Yes I knew I would have surgery, I just had to wait to go through my insurance process for approval. I do not regret having VSG surgery. My weight had spiraled so much out of control it was affecting not only my physical health but also my mental health. I love the fact that with this tool you only need a few bites and your full. One of the reasons for my weight gain was portion control and this helps keep me on track. Yes I like drinking after my meals. I was a person that would drink glasses and glasses of juice before, during and after my meals and would get a lot of extra calories that way. By having it after my meal it allows me time to chew and actually taste my food! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Should I be adding some sort of protein supplement? I struggle to get to 60g a day. I just don't want to add calories. I average about 600-700 right now.

If you never really followed the rules then it would make sense that you're gaining. Weight loss is really basic math, if you burn more calories than you consume you lose. I would be willing to bet your calories have slowly crept up and now the weight is catching up with you again. I would start tracking your calories to see how much you're actually consuming. This way you will know for certain where you need to make changes. Best wishes!

according to this http://gastricbypass.netfirms.com/understandingsmallgastricpouch.htm (written about RNY BP, but applies to the sleeve too), liquid calories are a Very Bad Idea. you are better off with 3 meals of 3-4 ounces of protein and 2 snacks one of which is also protein. its a technical article written by a doc for docs, but worth slogging through.

One of the things that contributed to my stress about this surgery was not knowing what was going to happen. (What can I say, I'm a control freak.) So here is the play-by-play as it pertains to me of my surgery. Your mileage may vary! I'll try to come back and update it. Hopefully it'll be of use to someone—"and knowing is half the battle." Day before surgery Liquid-only diet; two bowls of phở broth, some Protein2O, apple juice, and sugar-free lemon jello. Got about 830 calories in. Had to take a shower with a special CHG (chlorhexidine gluconate) anti-septic body wash. It made my skin a bit "slippery". Packed my bag with my CPAP hose, a book, a spare shirt, some chanclas for walking, my cell phone charger, and my reading glasses. Put out the two pills I was supposed to take (no losartan because it interferes with anesthesia). Day of surgery Took another shower with CHG as required. Reported to the hospital at 0630 as requested. Was checked in and taken to pre-surgery holding. My fiancé was allowed to go with me as an exception, because I'm hard of hearing and rely on lip-reading which is impossible with so many masks and partitions in the way. A surgical RN came and told me to wipe my abdomen with CHG wipes, then put on my surgical gown (which was HUGE on me—I understand I'm a bariatric patient but I literally couldn't keep it on my shoulders). Then he put an IV in the back of my hand, took my vitals (I lost 10 lbs in the two weeks between my surgeon's consultation and surgery day), went through all my medications, put an anti-nausea patch behind my ear, and gave me a blood thinner in my IV. My surgeon came in and asked if I was ready, went over a few things, then went to scrub up. My anesthesiologist came in and asked if I had had anesthesia before (yes), and if I had any questions. I asked him to give me a TAP block at the end of surgery, which is a localized nerve block, like an epidural for your abdomen. It lasts 12-18 hours. I was whisked away and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room, where I was given cognitive tests (what is your name, what hospital are you at, who's the president, etc.) and given ice chips. Once that all proved satisfactory, I was wheeled to my room. I don't remember it, because I fell asleep. Once in the room they put leg compression stockings on me and gave me water, Crystal Light made way too sweet, chicken broth that tasted like a salt lick, and a thicker vegetable purée soup. I couldn't get the vegetable soup down. I forced the chicken broth, Crystal Light, and water. I felt very, very hungry and it was frustrating not to be able to just eat something. I took 3 or 4 laps of the surgical unit floor in my fetching anti-slip socks, and kept falling asleep. The pain from the gas was pretty bad and I spent a good 30 minutes just burping, much to the chagrin of the man in the other bed in the room (though he was moaning so he doesn't get to say anything). Around 1730 the nurse came in, saw that I had drunk what I could and had peed sufficiently (you pee into a graduated container), and that I could walk. She asked my surgeon's permission to discharge me, and I was in the wheelchair going out the door at 1830, exactly 12 hours after I arrived. When we got home, I pretty much washed my hands and face and went straight to bed. I got up probably every 2 hours or so, would have a couple of sips of protein shake or water, along with Gas-X (simethicone) or, as needed, Tylenol. I did get about 7 hours of sleep, in various chunks. I was able to lie, carefully, on my side, which is how I prefer to sleep. My CPAP did increase the gas pressure inside a bit but it was tolerable. Day 1 post-op My first bout of the 'foamies'. I tried to drink a CorePower protein milk way too fast and spent an hour and a half wandering around whimpering. It was actively painful and it felt enough like I needed to vomit that I had a lined bucket at the ready. Eventually, though, it subsided. Gas pain is still here and very real, but better. We went for a walk which absolutely tired me out—and it was barely 500 meters! Right now I am using the timer on my cell phone to remind me to drink 1/3 oz. of fluid every 5 minutes, and I feel full but it's manageable. I am alternating full ounces of regular water and protein water. I also made some Jell-O with extra protein powder but the thought of eating it leaves me cold. If I can get these bottles down plus the shake I had earlier, I'll be pretty close to 48 oz. of fluid which is my surgeon's requirement for the first week (bumps up to 64 oz. after that) and 41 g of protein which will have to do for the first day unless I manage to get some of the Jell-O down me. I have been taking Tylenol, Gas-X, and my ondansetron—the nausea is there but it's in the background, like when you step off a ship onto land at the end of a cruise. I haven't had enough pain to necessitate anything stronger than Extra Strength Tylenol. My incisions are clean (I took a shower).

Are you allergic to peanuts? It has the same calories as Peanut Butter and the nutrition is very similar. I like the Kellogs Special K Protein cereal too for breakfast too. Sometimes, I make a yogurt parfait with greek yogurt, berries, and the Special K cereal on top. lynda

Water first, then Protein, veg and prescribed Vitamins and minerals. Bread has nothing you need in it. If you have a good look at what you are eating then check that you are moving enough to burn some calories, you can usually find the problem. If you post a normal day's eating plan here, someone will tell you where you are going right or wrong. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Agreed that small changes are key to continued success with habits surrounding food. But I would suggest starting with the vitamins first THEN the tracking. Since ensuring you are getting all the vitamins you need is more important than tracking calorie counts right now.

It sounds as though you may need more calories with that workout. Try skipping the protein bars (many are high in fats and carbs) and have protein rich food (tuna, cheese stick, chicken, greek yogurt, hummus, cottage cheese). You may need to have 5-6 small meals to get enough protein and calories. Stay strong!

Sure, if you dig down deep, you can loose weight. But can you keep it off? I know I couldn't. I'm less than 2 months post-op, so far, I can eat most foods (steak, shrimp, pasta). My portion sizes are so much smaller than what I ate before, yet I am full. I couldn't have done that without the band. I know I have to stay away from icecream and certain high calorie foods and drinks, but having a smaller pouch allows me to still enjoy them in small amounts.

Salads were HARD for me. I had a ton of trouble with fibrous veggies and lettuce was impossible until something closer to five or six months out. Everyone is different, though! I say start very small with veggies and also with Pasta, rice and tortillas...those are still my trouble foods, even at 21 months out. As for the post op diet, I had Dr. Aceves and spent weeks on liquids after surgery. I wasn't hungry at all but boy, I was MEAN and grouchy and tired all the time. At the end I just wanted to chew something despite having no appetite. It stinks but it's just a tiny bit of time before you'll be here complaining that you can't get enough calories because you can only fit in two or three bites of food at a time! Hang in there. Post op diets do vary but you trusted your doc to slice you open, so you should trust his judgement on what you should be eating afterward. ~Cheri